Indian cricketers today refused to sign the contract that would make them eligible for this week’s mini World Cup in Sri Lanka, rejecting the latest offer of the Indian cricket Board on the ground of “integrity and principle”. In their reply to the BCCI, the players have reiterated their commitment to play for the country and stressed that the decision taken by them was not for money or compensation but on principle and integrity.

The board had given them time till 1400 hrs to confirm their acceptance and sign the contract. “The information I have got is that the players have not agreed to the board’s offer. I have not seen the letter,” team manger Ranga Reddy said. The players’ refusal to sign the 30-day bar clause for the Champions Trophy has forced the Indian Board to postpone the Selection Committee meeting, scheduled at 1400 hrs at Kolkata today, by a few hours.

The response from the Indian players now touring England has reached the board and they have refused to accept the clause, board sources in Kolkata said. When contacted, BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya declined to comment on the issue at this stage but said, “We are postponing the Selection Committee meeting by a few hours as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked for some more time.

Dalmiya said in Kolkata that the national selectors would meet after 1800 hrs. The BCCI, following its Working Committee meeting in New Delhi on Saturday, had asked the players to sign the 30-day clause while rejecting the 17-day period agreed during discussions between the Indian cricketers and the ICC in London.

The board had set today’s deadline for the players to respond and had summoned the selection committee meeting to choose the, “best available” team from the players who “accept the offer and sign the Players’ Terms”.